Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Winning Wisdom: God's Commendation

Author: Ese Ehimare Dave

Topic: God's Commendation [Tuesday, 11th Oct. 2016]

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.(2 Corinthians 10:18)

An African adage goes thus: "when a lizard jumps from a height and nobody cheers its feat, it commend itself by nodding its head." Most of us are like the proverbial lizard. We are quick to commend ourselves, talking about all that we have achieved to everyone. But this act of commending ourselves in the sight of men only ends up feeding our ego and pride. But in the sight of God, we are not approved. Just like the rich fool, in Luke 12:16-21, we only end up laying up treasures - achievements, grand feat, riches - but are not rich toward God.
2 Corinthians 10:18 TLB says: "when someone boasts about himself and how well he has done, it doesn’t count for much. But when the Lord commends him, that’s different!" Quit bragging or boasting about what you have and the feat you have attained. It is nothing. Allow God to boast about you just like He did with Job. It is even better for your feat to do the talking for you, rather than you doing talking.

A classic example of this was given by Jesus in Luke 18:10-14, when he gave a parable about two men who went to pray in the synagogue. One of them, a Pharisees, was bragging about all that he has achieved as a chaste follower of the law, while the other man, a publican, was just asking God for mercy. Jesus said "this man (the publican) went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:14). Allow God commend you. Stay humble and grounded.

Keep winning daily.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I know and acknowledge that all I have been and will be in life is by Your enablement. Help me stay humble and grounded always, not commending myself, but seeking Your commendation and approval only, in Jesus' Name. Amen.